Movie Industry and Consumers

I plan to present an extensive outline concerning the evolution of cinema experiences for customers. Introduced in the early 20th century, we have seen American cinema undergo numerous changes resulting in dramatic customer experiences. Changes such as the addition of sound, color or a third dimension aspect have enticed consumers to flock to nearby theatres and pay prices that continue to rise. However, in recent times we have seen declining numbers in movie ticket sales. This may be attributed to piracy and the many different channels that have emerged for multimedia information to be acquired.

Thesis – The movie industry has constantly experienced change in order to boost ticket sales and attract specific segments of consumers.

I plan to split the report into three eras

I. Early Cinema
a. Invention of cinema and movie theatres
b. Consumer reaction to sound and color

II. Pre-digital Age
a. Beginnings of film oligopoly
b. Mass production of mainstream films

III. Digital Age
a. Mass production of low-cost/independent films
b. Consumer film choices
c. Consumers and piracy

Body

A. After World War 1 cinema became very prominent due to the large disposable incomes of families. The cinema was established as a regular place to spend time.
a. Movie theatres began appearing in urban settings and marketing budgets were on the rise as to how to raise ticket sales.
b. The addition of sound and color led to a surge in ticket sales and revolutionized the way consumers viewed the movie experience.

B. Marketers began to perfect practices when it came to pitching movies and improving crowds. Before the digital age occurred, we saw large advertising budgets and dominant companies.
a. Companies such as MGM studios, Paramount Pictures and Miramax Films began taking over the industry and today are still large players in the cinema market.
b. Studios began playing to consumers interests and eventually started trying to create “blockbuster” movies.

C. In the digital age we see millions of movies being thrown around in many channels. Advertising can be seen everywhere now as marketers repeatedly try to boost ticket sales and limit costs.
a. A change in role occurred with the digital age as independent consumers are able to take advantage of low costs. Consumers now have the ability to produce and distribute their own films.
b. Classical cinema story lines such as western, slapstick comedy, musical and animated cartoon are still largely present but no longer adhere to aged rules.
c. The ability to share files in seconds has decreased consumer interest in the cinema experience. Has piracy changed the consumer’s view of movies (movies are mass-produced and lack substance) or has it affected the experience (the cinema venture has lost value)?